It felt weird today to say, for the first time since the summer of 2001, that I was going to see a concert at the World Trade Center. In fact, I was going to see a concert in front of the rebuilt 7 World Trade Center, which is not quite the same thing; even the original was part of the WTC in name only.
Nick Lowe closed his main set with “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding.” He sang it slowly, wistfully, with the cursed Deutsche Bank building looming in the background (those diagonal lines of lights behind him in the photo are the lighting on the staircases in that hulk).
As I walk on through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
Where are the strong? And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony, sweet harmony?
And every time I feel it slipping away
It just makes me want to cry
What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?
Also on the bill were The Holmes Brothers, a great NYC gospel group, and Olabelle, a rock band that plays lots of traditional country tunes.
A Holmes Brothers anecdote: Many years ago mikeskliar and I were playing a bar in Hell’s Kitchen, and in between set the bartender pulled me aside and said, “Popsy Dixon from the Holmes Brothers is here and wants to sing a song.” So we called him up and thankfully Mike knew the chords to “Georgia On My Mind” and I got to play harmonica in answer to that spectacular voice. It was quite a moment.
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